Solutions that don’t break the bank, reinvent the wheel or marginalize our teachers are within our grasp. We could have rigorous classes, safe and disciplined schools and treat teachers like valued colleagues rather than easily replaceable cogs, and we could do so tomorrow if we wanted. Disclaimer, this is an opinion and commentary site and should not be confused as a news site. Also know that quite often people may disagree with the opinions posted.

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

What do Couch and Wright do on the school board again? (rough draft)

Look I don’t want to come off as too critical because these are the best two
school board members we have. Fischer, Shine and Ashley Smith Juarez are all
lost causes. Hall doesn’t seem to have the energy or passion to get things
done, most likely she is just a place holder for Betty Burney to run again in
2016 and the jury is still out on Grymes though I have to say my optimism for
her dwindles daily.

Couch and Wright are the best things we have going and perhaps that makes
them the most disappointing of all as well. You see it seems like they know
what is right, not extending Vitti’s contract till all the data is in, Teach
for America is a bad deal, we have to push back again charter schools and as
you will read in a few minutes that schools need libraries and librarians, yet
time and time again the fold when the rubber meets the road.

This is what they said about the need for librarians which have been dramatically
cut by Superintendent Vitti. From the Times union:

School libraries across the country face lean times and librarians are
stretched thin. Duval’s school board is weighing whether to hire more library
media specialists and whether to expand their roles.

“Media specialists are critical to all schools,” said Paula Wright, a board
member who recently decried school libraries’ lack of staffing. “I want to
allow children to check out books and use the libraries before and after
school, so kids can use the library to study.”

Every school should have at least one media specialist or someone in that
role, added Constance Hall, another board member.

…Some board members said that’s not enough; libraries should be open to
students more often. For kids without computers at home, that’s an extra
disadvantage, said board member Becki Couch.

“Having a media center available for students to use during the day will
assist in bridging the gap ... that exists between our students,” she said.

3 comments:

Wouldn't it be great if the School Board actually provided some direction and leadership instead of just rubber-stamping whatever Superintendent Vitti says? I'm always happy to read Paula Wright's comments because it seems she might actually have the best interests of students in mind. Sadly, she doesn't seem to have enough influence on the rest of the board members.

Both women are probably seen by their fellow members as problems. They both have a few years more to work with these people and group cohesiveness is important in a town where the business community has endorsed a clearly underrated leader of schools. Couch and Wright will continue to "rubberstamp" probably...but at least they both beg the question. They do not act like everything the superintendent does is excellent and that's....well, that's something when you consider the alternative.